Addison Goodson has passed away, according to his wife Nilfur Goodson, and according to himself in his own video posted in Nilfur’s Home Kitchen’s Instagram. Addison and Nilfur Goodson owned and operated the eatery which serves Turkish breakfast and more. At Christmas time, a Black Santa statue would stand outside to welcome everyone inside.
“He was truly my soul mate. He was always kind and thoughtful. I am going to miss him every minute of my life. He was a different soul. He was thinking everybody but himself. He was tooo tired all he had been through. I believe he is in peace. God bless him with my whole heart.”
— Nilfur Goodson
“We lost my beloved husband, Addison, passed away early this morning. This is to inform those who loved him,” wrote Nilfur on the restaurant’s Instagram page. She also wrote a note on the door of the shop, saying: “Due to the loss of my dearest husband, Nilfur’s Home Kitchen is closed until further notice.”
Addison was a known and visible community member in the City of Beacon. He could be seen walking the streets, attending City Council Meetings advocating for affordable housing, attending marches for Palestinian liberation, among other causes he believed in. He often gave those around him encouraging words of support to continue their work.
In his own video published the following morning by Nilfur, Addison said: “Like in the movies, if you’re watching this, I’m probably dead. But, I like my point of view here. If I got to go, I got to go in a warm place of love. And I’m very grateful to my wife, the Wonderfulest.”
In a statement to A Little Beacon Blog, Nilfur said of her husband: “He was truly my soul mate. He was always kind and thoughtful. I am going to miss him every minute of my life. He was a different soul. He was thinking everybody but himself. He was tooo tired all he had been through. I believe he is in peace. God bless him with my whole heart.”
Community members were tracking Addison’s health online based on Nilfur’s health updates for him at the restaurant. Just after posting her award for being awarded “Most Successful International Executive Chef” in Turkey in September 2024, the health updates started.
In October 2024, Nilfur posted: “My dearest friends and guests, due to my husband’s health condition, we will only be open for breakfast. Thank you for understanding.”
In September 2025, Nilfur wrote: “We will be closed October 3th, 2025, Friday for health issue. Hopefully we will open October 4th Saturday.”
In November 2025, Nilfur wrote: “Hi Everyone, We will be closed between Nov. 10th-Nov. 17th. My husband will have heart surgery and I need to take care of him. Sorry for inconvenience.”
And now on Sunday, April 19th, 2026, the final message.
Blessings, peace and mercy to Addison and Nilfur Goodson.
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY KOBUDO CLASSES Mondays 6pm Wednesdays 5pm Saturdays 12pm
Mountain Stream Budo Martial Arts offers Kobudo classes for ages 8+! This collection of traditional Okinawan weaponry is a sampling of what tools you will learn how to use during your training journey. No experience necessary; beginners welcome!
Martial arts for all ages, skill levels and fitness levels!
Come in for a free class any time!
Please email info@MountainStreamBudo.com to schedule your free trial class. Learn More >
Free Community Day at Garrison Art Center Day: Saturday, April 25th, 2026 Time: 11:30-3pm Location: Garrison Art Center 23 Garrison's Landing Garrison, NY 10524
Enjoy live pottery and printmaking demos, browse their Earth Day art supply resale, explore upcoming classes, and experience inspiring gallery exhibitions. SPRING-CLEAN YOUR ADULT & KIDS' ART SUPPLIES
Donate your unused art supplies and give them a second life! They are collecting adult and kids' materials. Drop off your donations during gallery hours, Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am –5 pm, April 7 through Sat. April 19. (Closed Monday, April 13). Please make sure your supplies are usable for another artist. More Information >
Eggbert’s Free Range Farm
Eggberts famous all beef, no nitrate Hot Dogs… crisp this time! Last week we melted cheese on top of the fried dogs, split. This week we boiled them, enjoying the crunch of the all natural casing. Served with chopped lettuce and hot dog buns from the Fareground Community dinner grocery distribution, topped with olive oil and the irreplaceable Espresso balsamic from Scarborough Fare in Beacon. Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 10am-1pm Sundays:Beacon Farmer's Market 10am - 2pm Farm Fridge: Shake and Grind SHOP ONLINE:Order Online DELIVERY: 🚚 Free Website >Instagram > Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor!
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY
Li’l Dragons Karate class (ages 4-6) meets 3 times per week: Tuesdays and Fridays 5pm Thursdays 5:30pm.
Email Noah at info@MountainStreamBudo for more info and to schedule your free trial class! Learn More >
Features from our Sponsors. Is your business on the menu?
CARTER'S RESTAURANT 424 Main Street, Beacon NY
After writing about Thursday Pizza Night at Carter's so many times, we finally got to go in. Dining with fellow Little Beacon Business Blog Squad Member Shelter-Air, we enjoyed the Gluten-free pizza with fried eggplants and a side of Goat Cheese Ricotta Balls. Catering and Private Parties available. Call: 845-743-6527 Instagram > Carter's is a Sponsor!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon NY
After you enjoy Wednesday Shellfish Night at Carter's, you dedicate your Thursday night to Hudson Valley Food Hall, where it's Oysters With Dad night, 6-9pm. Happy Hour is always hopping at the Roosevelt Bar inside. Make it slurpy with a few oysters.
BAGEL-ISH
226 Main Street, Beacon NY
Bagel-ish was just featured by InsideOut's Back to Blog List for being the Best Bagels in the Hudson Valley. Celebrating their hand-rolled technique, and "properly boiled." InsideOut declares Bagel-ish: "worth a detour." Instagram > Bagel-ish is a Sponsor!
Single purchases of Event Promotions are available, starting at $60/listing. Membership for Deep Discounts on event listings are available.
City of Beacon’s Earth Day Cleanup and Earth Day Fair Day: Saturday, April 18th 2026 Time: 9am-12pm: A CITY-WIDE SWEEP OF BEACON
From the organizers: “Team up with friends and neighbors to do some Beacon spring cleaning. Help us clean for 30 minutes or few hours. Many hands make light work. Work gloves, boots, long pants and sleeves recommended. Garbage bags and buckets will be provided. Time: 12:00pm - 3pm : Hudson Valley Brewery - Earth Day Fair Earth Day Fair: “Come to celebrate our city and connect with local organizations & neighbors. One free drink ticket will be provided to volunteers 21+. Non alcohol beverages also available.”
Upon Registering, you will be able to select an area of Beacon to show up in. Registration >
Breaking Bread: Cold Spring Farmer’s Market Annual Gala Day: Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 Time: 5:30pm Check-in; 6pm Start; 10pm Ends Location: Garrison Institute
In collaboration with the Garrison Institute, the Cold Spring Farmer’s Market is hosting their Community Dinner. Featuring some their amazing vendors products (like Eggbert’s Free Range Farms and All You Knead) and foods. Catered by Fresh Company, there also will be a couple of talks about local agriculture and grains! It will be a great event showcasing agricultural practices in the HV! Tickets >
"Always Leaves Me Speechless": The 5th Episode Of The Erasure Of Civil Rights Champion Paul Robeson in "Peekskill Riots" Docu-Series
Attended the screening of the 5th and final documentary in the docu-series, “Peekskill Riots: Wake Up America” by local historian Jon Scott Bennett held at the Beacon Library this past Thursday, which highlights the brutally erased civil rights leader, orator, singer, actor, athlete and attorney Paul Robeson by many players within the U.S. Government, and in Peekskill itself. Read This >
Beacon Litfest (side event) Day: Friday, April 24th, 2026 Time: 7-9:30pm Location: Denning's Point Distillery 10 N Chestnut, Beacon
For those of you who had a blast at last year's amazing 90s Dance Party, we've got more excitement coming in 2026. Felix Hernandez, radio personality and executive producer of live music series for NPR (you've heard him for years on WBGO) AND the legendary Rhythm Revue dance parties at Roseland Ballroom, NYC, will be our DJ for the night! Tickets >
Cold Spring Farmers Market’s Earth Day Fest Day: Saturday, April 25th, 2026 Time: 10am-1pm Location: 1601 NY-9D, Garrison, NY 10524
Cold Spring Farmer’s Market is celebrating Earth Day again at Boscobel! There will be tons of tents promoting zero-waste and composting and more, as well as all of their local vendors regularly at the market. Also Boscobel's gardens and house exhibits are open for FREE!
75th Anniversary Olga Galloway Scholarship Luncheon
from Les Soers Amiables Civic Club Inc. Day: Saturday, April 25th, 2026 Time: 12pm-4pm Price: $80 Deadline: April 20th for tickets to attend; April 11th for Advertising Location: Anthony’s Restaurant & Catering
799 NY-82 Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 HONOREES:
Lastar Gorton: “Crowned In Courage Award”
Lavonne McNair: “Beulah Jackson Education Award”
Tara Simmons: “Legacy of Prayer and Purpose Award”
Reverend Dr. Anesta Vannoy: Olga Galloway President’s Award KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Jessica Turner MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
Kenya Gadsen Tickets > Cash, Check, Money Order to PO Box 697, Beacon, NY 12508 or Zell. Call Maryilyn Cooper, Chairperson, 845-559-4424
Beacon Litfest (Main Event) EARLY BIRD PASS available until April 1st. Day: June 12th-14th, 2026 (Friday - Sunday) Time: TBA Location: Multiple venues throughout Beacon, NY
Big Literary Voices. Small Town Vibes (c)
Enjoy major award-winning poets and writers, immersive performances, mixers, book signings, special VIP experience, and more!
We are thrilled with this year's line-up! Find out more at beaconlitfest.org Tickets >
Guardian Revival 5K
Day: Sunday, May 17, 2026 Location: Paladin Center. 39 Seminary Hill Rd, Carmel Hamlet, NY 10512
Run. Reflect. Revive.
This event brings together community, families, departments, and teams to compete, remember, and stand in support of those who serve. Register >
Free Breakfast Program Day: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays Time: 6:30am-8:30am Location: 12 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508
They have a Wish List of food items! If you're in the mood to donate, find the list here. Information >
FRIDAYS: Fareground's Free Community Dinner Day/Time: Fridays, 5:30pm-7:30pm Location: First Presbyterian, 50 Liberty Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Information > Volunteer > Donate >
Attended the screening of the 5th and final documentary in the docu-series, “Peekskill Riots: Wake Up America” by local historian Jon Scott Bennett held at the Beacon Library this past Thursday, which highlights the brutally erased civil rights leader, orator, singer, actor, athlete and attorney Paul Robeson by many players within the U.S. Government, and in Peekskill itself.
The Beacon community is lucky that the Beacon Library is one of Jon Scott Bennet’s biggest fans, unlike the Peekskill Museum, which tries to suppress this violent event and denied the filmmaker access to historical documents about the riots during the making of this film.
After seeing one of Jon’s films on Paul Robeson’s eternal fight for liberation, justice and equality for African Americans, ALBB is always left speechless.
Cannot wait to interview Jon again for another episode on A Little Beacon Pod, where we will cover these topics:
Eleanor Roosevelt: How that first lady condemned Paul Robeson after he and many peaceful concert goers were brutally attacked by white mobs organized by veterans groups and not protected by the local police. Eleanor Roosevelt played the Communist card to contribute to the eventual erasure of Paul Robeson.
How the victims of the Peekskill Riots, who were majority Jewish families who had been settling in Peekskill in summer camps, as well as African Americans who were supporting their civil liberties, were vilified by the local media. The Peekskill Riots were a convergence of boiling antisemitism against Jewish people as well as anti-African American sentiment in this blue collar town whose industry had been lost and was being replaced by tourism and summering.
The quest by one of Peekskill’s historians, John J. Curran, to erase the Peekskill Riots from Peekskill despite local and national media, as well as local citizens who experienced it, as well members of the violent white mob carrying signs saying: “America Wake Up: Peekskill Did” identifying it as Peekskill.
Urban Renewal’s role in this; displacement of African Americans from communities.
James Earl Jones performance of Paul Robeson defending himself before a committee to get his passport back, after the U.S. took it away, which killed his income as a performer.
The conspiracy theory that Paul Robeson was drugged, triggering a breakdown and attempted suicide attempt, followed by a second attempt, resulting in over 50 electroshock treatments that changed him forever.
The City of Beacon only publicly announces when a person is hired or promoted in the City of Beacon because it requires a formal vote and Resolution from the City Council. From time to time, a high-profile retirement or resignation is announced publicly. For example, if a department head, like a Building Inspector, resigns, that is usually announced because it is a department head position.
A resignation or termination for Motor Equipment Operator for the Highway Department, for instance, is not generally announced. Nor are resignation letters read publicly, if an employee writes one with the hopes of being heard to better the employment situation as a whole. As Ed McNair did when he resigned from his position in the Highway Department before James Cottrell was hired to fill the open position.
After writing articles about employment issues and employment positions in the City of Beacon, it is the opinion of this blog that the City of Beacon should publish the names and photos of all employees of the City of Beacon.
For all of the praise that civil service employees of the City of Beacon receive, it would be helpful knowing who they are. This is also important for accountability.
Terminations and Resignations Generally Not Released
Also not shared with citizens of the City of Beacon who pay their salaries are when these employees are no longer working for the City of Beacon. Aside from select individuals who are praised at their retirements (not all employees are offered public farewells), the people of the City of Beacon, are not told when a person has been terminated, has resigned, or has retired.
For each new hire, the City Council is presented with the proposed candidate by the department head, who will describe the qualifications of the potential employee. The City Council then must take a vote on hiring that person. The Resolution for that person’s hire is published on the City’s website in the “Agenda Packet” that is published with each City Council Meeting.
The only way the people of the City of Beacon would know that a new employee had quit 3 weeks after being hired, for example, would be by word of mouth.
Unpaid Administrative Leave Also Not Announced - Employee Discipline Dollars Required For Budget
Also not published is when an employee is placed on Administrative Leave - Paid or Unpaid. For example, when Reuben Simmons was placed on Unpaid Leave in January 2021, just days after City Administrator Chris White’s first days on the job after replacing Anthony Ruggiero who resigned his position in Beacon to work for the Department of Behavioral and Community Health of Dutchess County, the people of Beacon did not know that in an official release from the City of Beacon.
Beacon’s first Human Resources (HR) Director, Gina Basile, resigned after 1.5 years on the job in January 2022. During one of her presentations after meeting with city employees, she stated: “I have heard employee concerns about discrimination, inequality, and growing tensions,” Gina stated in a printed presentation. “We need to address these issues head-on, and policies and procedures are only the beginning. We need a long-term plan on how to address these issues.”
Employment Issues Are Discovered During Arbitration Hearings
Also not disclosed was the amount of tax dollars spent on trying to terminate Reuben during that time, for example. Only people who were following the story very closely could surmise that the City Council was being briefed on Reuben’s various Arbitration Hearings during the City Council’s private “Executive Sessions” after the public City Council Meeting ended.
City Administrator Chris tried terminating Reuben since Chris entered his job in Beacon. However, Reuben had elected to go to Arbitration, which means that he contested the reasons he was being fired. During that time, City Administrator Chris requested and was authorized the release of funds. This was written about here at ALBB: “Over $111,000 Unplanned City of Beacon Dollars Spent On "Employee Discipline" Matter(s) - What's Going On?”
Specifically: “During the 12/13/2021 Monday Night Workshop Meeting, the City Administrator Chris White put forth to the City Council an approval to move $45,900 more dollars from an unrelated area of the budget - a real estate area of the budget - into a legal section of the budget to cover ‘associated employee discipline beyond the budget to date.’”
Therefore, ALBB sees it valuable and necessary to publish the hires, fires, resignations and retirements of each employee in a published log that does not disappear and does not discriminate against length of time - no matter how short or long a person worked for the City of Beacon. Each employee should have their own timelines since their time of interning, to official hiring, subsequent promotions, and exits.
Additionally, this publication asked if the City of Beacon conducts Exit Interviews with exiting employees, and if those interviews are made public.
ALBB is bringing back our 5K Guide! Starting with the Guardian Revival 5K in May. Details about that below.
Banner Ads: We are opening this guide to sponsors with banner ads. If your business is interested in sponsoring this guide, please reply back.
Eggbert’s Free Range Farm
There is a new Farm Fridge. At the coffee shop in Newburgh, the Shake and Grind, the owner has invited different vendors in to sell their wares. Most are available to pay directly by QR code at each perma-pop-up station. Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 10am-1pm Sundays:Beacon Farmer's Market 10am - 2pm Farm Fridge: Shake and Grind SHOP ONLINE:Order Online DELIVERY: 🚚 Free Website >Instagram > Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor!
Free Community Day at Garrison Art Center Day: Saturday, April 25th, 2026 Time: 11:30-3pm Location: Garrison Art Center 23 Garrison's Landing Garrison, NY 10524
Enjoy live pottery and printmaking demos, browse their Earth Day art supply resale, explore upcoming classes, and experience inspiring gallery exhibitions. SPRING-CLEAN YOUR ADULT & KIDS' ART SUPPLIES
Donate your unused art supplies and give them a second life! They are collecting adult and kids' materials. Drop off your donations during gallery hours, Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am –5 pm, April 7 through Sat. April 19. (Closed Monday, April 13). Please make sure your supplies are usable for another artist. More Information >
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY KOBUDO CLASSES Mondays 6pm Wednesdays 5pm Saturdays 12pm
Some of the female students pose with their weapons! Over the course of training, students will learn to use 12 different primary weapons and a number of secondary weapons, all of which are derived from authentic Okinawan farming and fishing tools.
Come in and try a class any time! Learn More >
Boat America: Learn From The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary: Part of Requirements of Certificate Day: Saturday, April 18th Time: 9am-5:30pm Location:Fishkill Police Department offices at 801 NY-52, Fishkill, NY 12524The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Verplanck Flotilla will host a "Boat America" Responsible Boating Course. This is the course that is necessary to obtain your State of New York Boating Safety Certificate. Starting in 2025, this Certificate is necessary for anybody to operate on the waterways of New York. Learn More >
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY
Li’l Dragons Karate class (ages 4-6) meets 3 times per week: Tuesdays and Fridays 5pm Thursdays 5:30pm.
Email Noah at info@MountainStreamBudo for more info and to schedule your free trial class! Learn More >
Features from our Sponsors. Is your business on the menu?
CARTER'S RESTAURANT 424 Main Street, Beacon NY
You can tell what day it is by Carter's themed food nights.
Namely: Wednesday Shelfish Night, where it's $2 Oysters, Clams and Shrimp. Thursday Pizza & Wine Night, with your choice of bottle $40.
This can't be real. Catering and Private Parties available. Call: 845-743-6527 Instagram > Carter's is a Sponsor!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon NY
This feature was a tough call. Tara's infamous samosas? Crisped to perfection by Tara Fusion inside of Hudson Valley Food Hall? Or their Butter Chicken. You'll have to go inside to see for yourself, and report back to ALBB.
BAGEL-ISH
226 Main Street, Beacon NY
Stop the presses. What is that? The Toum bagel, a blend of fresh garlic, extra vergin olive oil...and as we see later in the video, Parmesan. Instagram > Bagel-ish is a Sponsor!
Single purchases of Event Promotions are available, starting at $60/listing. Membership for Deep Discounts on event listings are available.
Chronogram's May Magazine Issue Day: Saturday, April 11th, 2026 Time: 12:30-3:30pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main Street, Beacon NY
The annual photo shoot of Beacon community members. From the editors: "Join us on April 11 and get your portrait taken for the May issue of Chronogram, which will feature portraits of Beacon community members. The photos will run in the May issue, on Chronogram.com, and participants will receive digital copies of their portraits once the magazine is published. Please feel free to stop by anytime between 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm to get your photo taken. The shoot is open to anyone who lives and/or works in Beacon."
Bake Sale + Solidarity4Gaza Day: Sunday, April 12th, 2026 Time: 12-5pm Location: Binnacle Books, 321 Main Street, Beacon NY
Say the organizers, @angryasianwomxn: “Hey all! We are having a bake sale with some Palestine solidarity items from @rebeccag0y_quilt48 and us in the backyard of fabulous @binnaclebooks in Beacon! New Yorkers, it’s about a 20 min walk up Main Street from the train station!
“We will have some vegan/halal/gluten free Asian inspired Rice Krispie treats like: ube, mango coconut, hot chili crisp, halvah and more! If you want to donate some baked goods, send a message! Fundraising will go to a few fundraisers needed in Gaza, including our friends @olivegazabytes giving out mutual aid to families in need. Come through, the genocide hasn’t ended in Gaza and they still need these funds. Let’s go!!!”
Free Shopping: Pop-Up Prom Attire At Beacon’s Howland Public Library Day: April 4th, 11th and 12th. Time: 12-4pm Details: Nearly-New, Gently-Used Party Attire Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main Street, Beacon, NY
The Beacon Library confirms that this is for local students from schools in any area! Bring a friend. More Details >
Day: Thursday, April 16th, 2026 Time: 6-7pm Location: Beacon Public Library, 313 Main Street, Beacon NY
The Fifth Episode of The Peekskill Riots docu-series will be screened at the Howland Public Library. There will be a Q&A held afterward hosted by Jon Scott Bennett.
After thousands of concertgoers were attacked during the Peekskill Riots of 1949, the same system that sanctioned this violence began rewriting history to be as though it never happened.
This was done on a national level by erasing the career and legacy of Paul Robeson. His records, books, films, and writings were taken out of distribution, altered, or otherwise suppressed so that his influence as a force for change could be extinguished. Local figures in Peekskill followed this trend to downplay and reframe the riots, either to cast Paul Robeson as solely responsible or to suppress the story entirely. History is repeated by those who do not learn it, which is why they will do everything to ensure you can’t either.
The Fifth and Final Episode of the Peekskill Riots docu-series presents the treatment of this history as an instructive example of how the cover-up was just as destructive as the riots themselves. Registration Required (Free) >
City of Beacon’s Earth Day Cleanup and Earth Day Fair Day: Saturday, April 18th 2026 Time: 9am-12pm: A CITY-WIDE SWEEP OF BEACON
From the organizers: “Team up with friends and neighbors to do some Beacon spring cleaning. Help us clean for 30 minutes or few hours. Many hands make light work. Work gloves, boots, long pants and sleeves recommended. Garbage bags and buckets will be provided. Time: 12:00pm - 3pm : Hudson Valley Brewery - Earth Day Fair Earth Day Fair: “Come to celebrate our city and connect with local organizations & neighbors. One free drink ticket will be provided to volunteers 21+. Non alcohol beverages also available.”
Upon Registering, you will be able to select an area of Beacon to show up in. Registration >
Breaking Bread: Cold Spring Farmer’s Market Annual Gala Day: Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 Time: 5:30pm Check-in; 6pm Start; 10pm Ends Location: Garrison Institute
In collaboration with the Garrison Institute, the Cold Spring Farmer’s Market is hosting their Community Dinner. Featuring some their amazing vendors products (like Eggbert’s Free Range Farms and All You Knead) and foods. Catered by Fresh Company, there also will be a couple of talks about local agriculture and grains! It will be a great event showcasing agricultural practices in the HV! Tickets >
Beacon Litfest (side event) Day: Friday, April 24th, 2026 Time: 7-9:30pm Location: Denning's Point Distillery 10 N Chestnut, Beacon
For those of you who had a blast at last year's amazing 90s Dance Party, we've got more excitement coming in 2026. Felix Hernandez, radio personality and executive producer of live music series for NPR (you've heard him for years on WBGO) AND the legendary Rhythm Revue dance parties at Roseland Ballroom, NYC, will be our DJ for the night! Tickets >
Cold Spring Farmers Market’s Earth Day Fest Day: Saturday, April 25th, 2026 Time: 10am-1pm Location: 1601 NY-9D, Garrison, NY 10524
Cold Spring Farmer’s Market is celebrating Earth Day again at Boscobel! There will be tons of tents promoting zero-waste and composting and more, as well as all of their local vendors regularly at the market. Also Boscobel's gardens and house exhibits are open for FREE!
75th Anniversary Olga Galloway Scholarship Luncheon
from Les Soers Amiables Civic Club Inc. Day: Saturday, April 25th, 2026 Time: 12pm-4pm Price: $80 Deadline: April 20th for tickets to attend; April 11th for Advertising Location: Anthony’s Restaurant & Catering
799 NY-82 Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 HONOREES:
Lastar Gorton: “Crowned In Courage Award”
Lavonne McNair: “Beulah Jackson Education Award”
Tara Simmons: “Legacy of Prayer and Purpose Award”
Reverend Dr. Anesta Vannoy: Olga Galloway President’s Award KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Jessica Turner MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
Kenya Gadsen Tickets > Cash, Check, Money Order to PO Box 697, Beacon, NY 12508 or Zell. Call Maryilyn Cooper, Chairperson, 845-559-4424
Beacon Litfest (Main Event) EARLY BIRD PASS available until April 1st. Day: June 12th-14th, 2026 (Friday - Sunday) Time: TBA Location: Multiple venues throughout Beacon, NY
Big Literary Voices. Small Town Vibes (c)
Enjoy major award-winning poets and writers, immersive performances, mixers, book signings, special VIP experience, and more!
We are thrilled with this year's line-up! Find out more at beaconlitfest.org Tickets >
Guardian Revival 5K
Day: Sunday, May 17, 2026 Location: Paladin Center. 39 Seminary Hill Rd, Carmel Hamlet, NY 10512
Run. Reflect. Revive.
This event brings together community, families, departments, and teams to compete, remember, and stand in support of those who serve. Register >
Free Breakfast Program Day: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays Time: 6:30am-8:30am Location: 12 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508
They have a Wish List of food items! If you're in the mood to donate, find the list here. Information >
FRIDAYS: Fareground's Free Community Dinner Day/Time: Fridays, 5:30pm-7:30pm Location: First Presbyterian, 50 Liberty Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Information > Volunteer > Donate >
By popular demand, A Little Beacon Blog is bringing back our 5K Races and Marathon Guide 🌸! Beginning with the Guardian Revival Marathon in May, registration going on now. Details and links in ALBB’s Calendar and 5K Guide.
🏃🏿🏃🏽♀️🏃🏼♀️ Got a marathon you want to see included here? Emil it to us.
📢 💸 ALBB is opening this guide to sponsorships! Book a Banner Ad on this guide to feature your business, event, or other message you want to reach our readers with. Email for details.
This recap of the 4/6/2026 City Council Meeting first published on A Little Beacon Blog’s Instagram, but is 23 minutes, so was cut off, could not include sub titles because of the great length, and was split into two videos. After receiving interest in this video, it is being published here for you to listen to while ALBB works on the articles that coincide with it. The most important thing is for you to have this information.
During this meeting, the successor to City Administrator Chris White was voted on. We don’t know why Chris White retired after 5 years on the job. He said during this meeting that he wanted to “hike the Appalachian Trail,” and that he hoped to make a “cameo appearance” as the person who gets to cut off people speaking Public Comment when they have 15 seconds left.
Employees of the City of Beacon usually try to stay as long as they can. This recap includes analysis of an issue going on in the Highway Department right now that ALBB will publish on.
Topics covered here:
The Highway Department employee, James Cottrell (aka Jim or Jimmy) who was terminated on January 7, 2026, one day after he filed a complaint for targeted harassment on January 6, 2026. ALBB has the paperwork of this employee’s multiple complaints and experiences, and is working on publishing those. This is a long story, so this video will give you a brief overview.
The Highway Department employee Reuben Simmons, (aka Coach Yogi) and his job title as Highway Superintendent dissolving, causing his resulting demotion, and the promotion of current Superintendent of Streets Mickey Manzi into that position of being the department head. After Mickey admitted to writing at least one anonymous letter to the City Council during Mickey’s alleged campaign to discredit Reuben to push him out of the City Service job and eventually replace him. Reuben has been relegated to the Street Sweeper ever since. According to several employees of the Highway Department, including James Cottrell, they were instructed by their boss, Mickey, not to speak to Reuben. However, two employees tell ALBB, once they did speak to Reuben, they found him to be a nice person, and then began to feel retaliation from their boss.
The resignation of Eddie McNair, who identifies as African American and alleged complaints of racist behavior condoned around him in his Letter of Resignation. James Cottrell was hired to replace him.
The gun that was allegedly brought to work by a co-worker and friend of Mickey, Steve Bechtold, during the campaign to get Reuben out of the position of department head.
Alleged video recording via Meta-type glasses of Highway Department employees by another employee.
The complete (yet polite) shredding of an affordable housing survey by the City Council, namely Lastar Gorton, Paloma Wake, Zach Smith and some questions by Carolyn Bennett Glauda.
Am on deadline for client projects, so will circle back with more articles in this series. Meanwhile, please do listen to this broadcast in full for context as this story gets told. It is a difficult one to tell because of disrespect for people, pettiness, and Civil Service rules that can be used to either side’s advantage.
One Last Thing…
Listening to the City Council Members and Mayor Kyriacou and City Administrator Chris White (with the expectation of new Councilmember Lastar Gorton who sharply questioned process which has been lax on this appointment) explain why the newly created position of Deputy City Administrator for Ben Swanson, who is now being appointed to be City Administrator without a public search for that position.
While ALBB also agrees Deputy City Administrator Ben Swanson is very qualified for the position with a lot of hands-in, boots on the ground experience, from a Civil Service point of view, watching this uncontested, non-public appointment is extremely frustrating in terms of a fairness perspective to how others in other departments have been treated under this City Administrator Chris White (see above).
More to come once meeting is done. As Mayor Kyriacou continues to “beg” for other board appointments without making board appointments very public, if at all public. Hence the last Board of Assessment Review Board non-published appointment (hint: an Epstein Files resignation).
The Legal Aid Society has issued a press release which has been published in full below, with the addition of quotes from an earlier report from two NY State lawmakers.
30 Legal Organizations, Advocates Demand DOCCS Immediately Address Discriminatory and Dangerous Conditions Impacting Safety, Well-Being of TGNCNBI Individuals at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility
In the Past Two Months, Three People Have Died at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility
More than 30 legal organizations, advocacy groups, attorneys with Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, Non-Binary, and Intersex (TGNCNBI) clients, and others sent a letter to New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III demanding he take immediate action to address the deplorable conditions currently threatening the safety, health, and well-being of TGNCNBI people housed at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in upstate New York.
According to the letter, these policies and practices include increases in unjustified uses of force, extended lock-ins, restrictions on out-of-cell recreation, lack of access to safe, private showers, as well as barriers to accessing gender-affirming clothing and care.
“We echo the demand for DOCCS to remove DSS Blot from any role requiring direct interaction with incarcerated individuals or oversight of security staff, on the basis that his appointment has overseen a period of intensified violence in the facility. Such an action would be one step towards much needed changes at Bedford, including the restoration of indoor recreation and safe access to showers for all incarcerated people.”
— Diana Colavita, an organizer with Survived & Punished New York
These conditions, the letter asserts, were primarily implemented following the installation of Deputy Superintendent of Security (DSS) Michael Blot in the summer of 2025. Despite advocates and lawmakers raising alarms about DSS Blot’s policies, no corrective actions have been taken, and TGNCNBI people have continued to suffer under his draconian leadership. Earlier this year in March 2026, three people died in the facility – two by suicide — in a period of just four weeks.
During that time, New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Chris Burdick responded by sending a letter to DOCC calling for an investigation into recent suicides at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility.
According to the legislators, individuals are now required to sign up in advance for all out-of-cell services, including showers, kitchen access, phone calls, and laundry. These changes have resulted in incarcerated individuals spending significantly more time confined to their cells.
In their letter, the lawmakers stated: “The well-being of individuals within correctional facilities is the responsibility of the state government, and we must ensure that people in our custody are treated fairly and humanely,” said Harckham. “Reports that individuals are being denied access to basic services and are confined to their cells for excessive periods are deeply troubling. I hope DOCCS will investigate these matters thoroughly so that we can identify solutions and prevent further tragedies.”
April 2026's Letter From The 30 Legal Organizations
The letter sent in April 2026 from the 30 legal organizations outlines several actions DOCCS can immediately take to mitigate this crisis, including:
an immediate, independent investigation into reports that DSS Blot is ordering staff to engage in unjustified uses of force against incarcerated people;
a reversal of any official or discretionary policies that have led to extended lock-ins and lack of sufficient and safe access to showers, including but not limited to rescinding Facility Operations Manual 311;
restore indoor recreation in all housing units;
end the practice of requiring trans masculine and nonbinary individuals to wear bras upon intake;
ensure timely and regular access to medical and mental health treatment, including gender-affirming care;
ensure staff, including National Guard staff, are trained on and compliant with policies to ensure the respectful treatment of TGNCNBI people in custody, and discipline staff for any misconduct; and
remove DSS Blot from any role requiring direct interaction with incarcerated individuals or oversight of security staff.
Moreover, the letter requests that Commissioner Martuscello promptly meet with a group of representatives and advocates for TGNCNBI individuals — and particularly those with lived experiences by — to discuss the concerns, as well as proposed solutions to improve the safety and well-being of TGNCNBI people housed at the facility.
“Despite numerous attempts from advocates and lawmakers to bring attention to the deplorable conditions at Bedford Hills, DOCCS has failed to address the dangerous conditions and practices ushered in by DSS Blot, which incarcerated people have reported has led to unjustified uses of force, denied medical and mental health care, and tragic losses of life,” said Erin Beth Harrist, Director of the LGBTQ+ Unit at The Legal Aid Society. “We demand immediate action be taken to mitigate these harms and protect TGNCNBI people at Bedford Hills, including an independent investigation into the unjustified uses of force.”
“People who are incarcerated deserve dignity. Yet, at Bedford Hills, DOCCS continues to subject transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and intersex people to abhorrent conditions,” said M. Porter, staff attorney at the New York Civil Liberties Union. “Every day of inaction is a direct threat to the safety, health and well-being of our incarcerated community members. With the Trump administration escalating its attacks against trans people behind bars, DOCCS must act immediately to ensure this facility provides the fundamental care and respect every human being is entitled to.”
“DOCCS and Commissioner Martuscello have been placed on notice by our community. We demand that conditions at Bedford Hills be restored to how they existed prior to Deputy Superintendent Michael Blot’s appointment. We are also calling for the removal of DSS Michael Blot from Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. ”
— Bayna-Lehkiem El-Amin, Community Organizer with F2L
Diana Colavita, an organizer with Survived & Punished New York, said, “The latest crisis of violence, neglect, and repression inside Bedford Hills Correctional demonstrates once again that there’s no such thing as a safe cage. We echo the demand for DOCCS to remove DSS Blot from any role requiring direct interaction with incarcerated individuals or oversight of security staff, on the basis that his appointment has overseen a period of intensified violence in the facility. Such an action would be one step towards much needed changes at Bedford, including the restoration of indoor recreation and safe access to showers for all incarcerated people. Ultimately, we believe that the best cage is an empty one and in the meantime, stand with the TGNC community in ensuring that conditions inside Bedford shift rapidly.”
“The crisis at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility is a blatant failure of accountability. Women and TGNCNBI people inside have long raised alarms about dangerous and degrading conditions, yet New York still fails to act. Multiple deaths later and DSS Michael Blot, who oversees this women’s facility despite serious allegations of misconduct, remains in a position of power. Blot must be removed immediately, and swift action taken to protect the health, safety, and dignity of everyone in custody,” said Serena Martin, Executive Director of New Hour for Women and Children.
“We do not believe in the carceral prison system. We understand it functions as one that harms and terrorizes communities. We will continue to stand in solidarity with our loved ones inside to resist any new DOCCS administrative practices that increase violence and harm. We will not wait for further injury, death, or abuse to occur at the hands of this system — whether through correctional officers, National Guard involvement, administrative policies, or alleged cover-ups and misinformation.
"DOCCS and Commissioner Martuscello have been placed on notice by our community. We demand that conditions at Bedford Hills be restored to how they existed prior to Deputy Superintendent Michael Blot’s appointment. We are also calling for the removal of DSS Michael Blot from Bedford Hills Correctional Facility.
"To ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their intentional disregard for the lives and well-being of all affected by these recent illegal changes in policy, we demand a thorough and comprehensive independent investigation into the circumstances that led to the deaths of Shamdai Arjun, Tracy Morales, and Manuela ‘Mannie’ Morgan, as well as any incidents involving correctional officers or members of the National Guard who have resorted to violence, causing injury or harm to individuals held at this facility. These claims and details are based on allegations provided and have not been independently verified,” said Bayna-Lehkiem El-Amin, Community Organizer with F2L.
###
The Legal Aid Society is a nonprofit law firm that exists for one simple yet powerful reason: to ensure that New Yorkers are not denied their right to equal justice because of poverty. For 150 years, we have protected, defended, and advocated for those who have struggled in silence for far too long. Every day, in every borough, The Legal Aid Society changes the lives of the people we serve and helps improve our communities.
How ALBB’s Things To Do In Weekend Newsletter Works:
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Loading in now is the Palestine Bake Sale from @angryasianwomxn @butihatepepperoni ; and the final episode of the Peekskill Riots (!!) from @jonscottbennett at @beaconlibrary
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Big Goal for 2026 is to get this Things To Do In Beacon Newsletter to you by Friday afternoons. Bigger Goal is to learn to dance as good as this girl.
Members of A Little Beacon's Blog Squad get deep discounts on Event Promotion, so consider starting your membership. ALBB has been hard at work designing our Media Kit, which will be dropping soon with new offerings and prices.
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY KOBUDO CLASSES Mondays 6pm Wednesdays 5pm Saturdays 12pm
Some of the female students pose with their weapons! Over the course of training, students will learn to use 12 different primary weapons and a number of secondary weapons, all of which are derived from authentic Okinawan farming and fishing tools.
Come in and try a class any time! Learn More >
Boat America: Learn From The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary: Part of Requirements of Certificate Day: Saturday, April 18th Time: 9am-5:30pm Location:Fishkill Police Department offices at 801 NY-52, Fishkill, NY 12524The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Verplanck Flotilla will host a "Boat America" Responsible Boating Course. This is the course that is necessary to obtain your State of New York Boating Safety Certificate. Starting in 2025, this Certificate is necessary for anybody to operate on the waterways of New York. Learn More >
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY
Li’l Dragons Karate class (ages 4-6) meets 3 times per week: Tuesdays and Fridays 5pm Thursdays 5:30pm.
Email Noah at info@MountainStreamBudo for more info and to schedule your free trial class! Learn More >
Features from our Sponsors. Is your business on the menu?
CARTER'S RESTAURANT 424 Main Street, Beacon NY
It's been a day. Enjoy the 🍸 Espresso Martini at Carter’s. Smooth. Bold. Perfectly crafted. Their signature Espresso Martini is made with rich, authentic Lavazza espresso, delivering the perfect balance of deep coffee flavor and silky cocktail smoothness. Catering and Private Parties available. Call: 845-743-6527 Instagram > Carter's is a Sponsor!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon NY
Did you know that Five Penny's makes over 140 flavors of ice cream? All made on premises at the Hudson Valley Food Hall, with love ❤🍨
BAGEL-ISH
226 Main Street, Beacon NY
Bagel-ish is open on Easter! Place pre-orders by Friday noon. Be a bunny and hop onto this task. Instagram > Bagel-ish is a Sponsor!
FAREGROUND'S
FREE COMMUNITY DINNER
50 Liberty Street, Beacon NY
Take out only this week! Please bring your own containers, if you can!
🥘Every Friday, Fareground's Welcome Table offers a Free Community Dinner from 5:30-7pm. All are welcome. Please share with anyone who might like to attend. Say the organizers: "Let’s come together to share food and community! Special thanks to Second Chance Foods for the ingredients!!" Want to help out?
✅ Sign up to volunteer fareground.org/volunteer or link in bio.
✅ Donate at fareground.org/donate or link in bio.
✅ Donate ingredients!
✅ Bring a friend or neighbor. Instagram >
Single purchases of Event Promotions are available, starting at $60/listing. Membership for Deep Discounts on event listings are available.
Lit Lit at the Howland Cultural Center
Day: Every 1st Friday Time: 6:30pm Sign Up if want to read; 7pm event begins Location: 477 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508
A monthly literary open mic series. Hosted by Donna Minkowitz. Donna says: “Folks are welcome to read their own writing of any genre, of up to five minutes in length. If you’d like to read, please arrive by 6:30 to sign up at the Howland Cultural Center. Or just, and listen :-) The Howland asks that everyone donate $5 to help keep the lights on, more if you can, less if you can’t. Soft drinks, beer and wine, and snacks are also available. Come hang out and be with your Lit Lit family!” Sign Up To Read >
Free Shopping: Pop-Up Prom Attire At Beacon’s Howland Public Library Day: April 4th, 11th and 12th. Time: 12-4pm Details: Nearly-New, Gently-Used Party Attire Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main Street, Beacon, NY
The Beacon Library confirms that this is for local students from schools in any area! Bring a friend. More Details >
Discount Tree Sale Extended Through Weekend Day: Now
The City of Beacon has extended their discount tree sale through the weekend. Only a few trees left! Find Out More >
Seasonal Kayak Lottery Open For Docking At Long Dock Park, Via Scenic Hudson Day: Now till April 19th
Scenic Hudson has announced their annual lottery for keeping kayak’s at Long Dock Park has opened. Details in this article. Find Out More >
75th Anniversary Olga Galloway Scholarship Luncheon
from Les Soers Amiables Civic Club Inc. Day: Saturday, April 25th, 2026 Time: 12pm-4pm Price: $80 Deadline: April 20th for tickets to attend; April 11th for Advertising Location: Anthony’s Restaurant & Catering
799 NY-82 Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 HONOREES:
Lastar Gorton: “Crowned In Courage Award”
Lavonne McNair: “Beulah Jackson Education Award”
Tara Simmons: “Legacy of Prayer and Purpose Award”
Reverend Dr. Anesta Vannoy: Olga Galloway President’s Award KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Jessica Turner MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
Kenya Gadsen Tickets > Cash, Check, Money Order to PO Box 697, Beacon, NY 12508 or Zell. Call Maryilyn Cooper, Chairperson, 845-559-4424
City of Beacon’s Earth Day Cleanup and Earth Day Fair Day: Saturday, April 18th 2026 Time: 9am-12pm: A CITY-WIDE SWEEP OF BEACON
From the organizers: “Team up with friends and neighbors to do some Beacon spring cleaning. Help us clean for 30 minutes or few hours. Many hands make light work. Work gloves, boots, long pants and sleeves recommended. Garbage bags and buckets will be provided. Time: 12:00pm - 3pm : Hudson Valley Brewery - Earth Day Fair Earth Day Fair: “Come to celebrate our city and connect with local organizations & neighbors. One free drink ticket will be provided to volunteers 21+. Non alcohol beverages also available.”
Upon Registering, you will be able to select an area of Beacon to show up in. Registration >
Breaking Bread: Cold Spring Farmer’s Market Annual Gala Day: Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 Time: 5:30pm Check-in; 6pm Start; 10pm Ends Location: Garrison Institute
In collaboration with the Garrison Institute, the Cold Spring Farmer’s Market is hosting their Community Dinner. Featuring some their amazing vendors products (like Eggbert’s Free Range Farms and All You Knead) and foods. Catered by Fresh Company, there also will be a couple of talks about local agriculture and grains! It will be a great event showcasing agricultural practices in the HV! Tickets >
Beacon Litfest (side event) Day: Friday, April 24th, 2026 Time: 7-9:30pm Location: Denning's Point Distillery 10 N Chestnut, Beacon
For those of you who had a blast at last year's amazing 90s Dance Party, we've got more excitement coming in 2026. Felix Hernandez, radio personality and executive producer of live music series for NPR (you've heard him for years on WBGO) AND the legendary Rhythm Revue dance parties at Roseland Ballroom, NYC, will be our DJ for the night! Tickets >
Beacon Litfest (Main Event) EARLY BIRD PASS available until April 1st. Day: June 12th-14th, 2026 (Friday - Sunday) Time: TBA Location: Multiple venues throughout Beacon, NY
Big Literary Voices. Small Town Vibes (c)
Enjoy major award-winning poets and writers, immersive performances, mixers, book signings, special VIP experience, and more!
We are thrilled with this year's line-up! Find out more at beaconlitfest.org Tickets >
Free Breakfast Program Day: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays Time: 6:30am-8:30am Location: 12 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508
They have a Wish List of food items! If you're in the mood to donate, find the list here. Information >
FRIDAYS: Fareground's Free Community Dinner Day/Time: Fridays, 5:30pm-7:30pm Location: First Presbyterian, 50 Liberty Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Information > Volunteer > Donate >
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla from Verplanck, NY will host a "Boat America" Responsible Boating Course on Saturday, April,18, 2026, from 9am - 5:30pm in the Community Room in the Fishkill Police Department offices at 801 NY-52, Fishkill, NY 12524
This is the course that is necessary to obtain your State of New York Boating Safety Certificate. Starting in 2025, this Certificate is necessary for anybody to operate on the waterways of New York.
Coast Guard Auxiliarists teach the course. The session will cover the rules of navigating, equipment use, boating emergency management, environmentally friendly boating and water safety for all ages.
Registration costs $45 per person. Children under 17 can attend for free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Scenic Hudson has announced their annual lottery for keeping kayak’s at Long Dock Park has opened. They say via press release:
“The Hudson River paddling season is beginning soon, and Scenic Hudson is pleased to reopen the kayak storage pavilion at Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park in Beacon. Storage slips for 32 boats will be available from May 9 to October 31. The 2026 seasonal fee is $225.
“NOTE: Due to the limited number of available storage slots, filling out the form will enter your information into our lottery system. We can't guarantee you'll be selected from the lottery, but we're rooting for you!”
If your name is selected from the lottery, you will receive an email notice from Scenic Hudson with additional instructions by Wednesday, April 22.
Please direction questions to Scenic Hudson Parks Team at parks@scenichudson.org.
The City of Beacon has announced that they have a few trees left and are extended the Discount Sale through the weekend. “We would love for them to find a backyard here in Beacon.”
Tree Species Still Available:
Sweet Gum
A sweetgum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a tall tree, typically reaching 60–100 feet at maturity, known for its star-shaped leaves that turn vibrant red, orange, yellow, and purple in fall. It has ridged bark and produces spiky, round seed pods. It is native to the eastern and southeastern United States, extending into parts of Mexico and Central America, and is especially valued for its striking autumn color.
Eastern Red Maple
An eastern red maple (Acer rubrum) is a medium to tall tree, typically reaching 40–70 feet at maturity, known for its three- to five-lobed leaves that turn brilliant red (and sometimes orange or yellow) in the fall. It has smooth gray bark when young that becomes darker and slightly furrowed with age, and produces small red flowers and winged seeds in early spring. It is native to the eastern United States and parts of Canada, and is especially valued for its striking autumn color.
White Oak
A white oak (Quercus alba) is a large, long-lived tree, typically reaching 60–100 feet at maturity, known for its rounded-lobed leaves that turn shades of red to burgundy in the fall. It has light gray, scaly bark and produces acorns that are an important food source for wildlife. It is native to the eastern and central United States, and is especially valued for its strength, durability, and classic form, as well as its attractive autumn color.
Firefighter putting out the fire in the container truck at Hudson Baylor Recycling Thursday. Photo Credit: Beacon Professional Firefighters Facebook Page, possibly Robert Reynolds.
Late rainy morning Thursday, a fire started inside of a container truck holding rejected recycling materials at Hudson Baylor Recycling at 508 Fishkill Avenue (Rte. 52), which is past the car wash, Groveville apartment community and Beacon Lofts.
According to a person familiar with the situation, a person saw the fire and called to alert the fire department. According to the Beacon Professional Firefighters who posted on their Facebook page: “Beacon Fire units are operating at a tractor trailer full of trash on fire at Hudson Baylor Recycling. Castle Point Professional Firefighters requested to the scene with an engine. A 10-35 has been transmitted calling back all off duty personnel. Fishkill Fire Department requested to standby in the City with an engine.”
The sign for Hudson Baylor Recycling on FIshkill Ave. / Rte 52 Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
The person familiar with the situation said that it is not common for a truck full of trash to catch fire, and that a cause has not been released yet. However, the cause could have come from inside of the truck, such as discarded batteries that combusted, or some other reason. The person familiar with today’s fire said that the incident was minor and uncommon for them.
Is A Truck Full Of Trash Normal At The Recycling Center?
The rejected recycling material is a normal process of the recycling center, which does sort through items placed into the recycling cans of homes and businesses that are picked up by Royal Carting (now owned by Casela) and taken to this recycling center.
If something is not “clean” enough to be put through the recycling center, such as soggy cardboard, or plastic containers covered in peanut butter, it is removed from the recycling collection and discarded into the regular trash. That trash is put into a container truck, like this one that caught on fire, and driven up to the burn plant.
Items that don’t qualify as recycling, which can be referred to as “dirty” can “contaminate” an entire collection of recycling. During a recycling presentation to City Council on August 27, 2018, Steve Hastings of Republic Services explained the economics of recycling during a crash in that market, and stressed, “When in doubt, throw it out.”
Beacon local, but contemporary art work notable, David Ross made the front page of the New York Times on Saturday, March 28th, 2026, after first appearing in their digital story about the article in the newspaper’s Instagram on March 24th. In that article, A Little Beacon Blog was alluded to, but not named, as a source that penetrated him possibly more than the fallout from art world he may be experiencing, after resigning from his position from School of Visual Arts (SVA) in Manhattan.
A Little Beacon Blog had emailed him about his board positions on the local golf course, the 9-hole Southern Dutchess Country Club, as well as his board position on Beacon’s Board of Assessment Review, a property tax board that property owners can appeal to if they feel their properties have been assessed to high, and they want it lowered and them paid a refund.
While David never did respond to those questions, his wife, the former Beacon City Councilmember, Peggy Ross, asked out loud, presumably at their kitchen table or maybe on the phone between them, “What does the golf course have to do with anything?” Her question was printed in the New York Times after David decided to respond to ALBB’s questions in that national newspaper.
Notable in that digital article was the video of David baking muffins in his kitchen, from the POV of the New York Times photographer who was standing outside in the dark filming the video, as he tried to portray himself as a person impacted by the Epstein Files, which had made it all the way to his home. Read more about his response here.
But in Saturday’s edition, there was a different photo. A photo that took up an entire interior Page A11, the coveted “National” section of the paper - of David walking in the sun on some pavement, presumably on his nature walk, reflecting on this unfortunate turn of events. The photo was an aerial shot from a drone flying above his head. Cementing the local public’s suspicion that this entire piece was a publicity stunt that he collaborated with the New York Times on.
Arvind Dilawar, an independent journalist who has written for ALBB and the New York Times, Vice, Dropsite, and other publications, wrote in to ALBB: “Just read about the NYT snubbing ALBB in their Epstein apologia. NYT bends over backwards for pieces of shit. Always have. They did something similar for Hitler, believe it or not.”
ALBB’s first response was: “Good God, man. Front page of the New York Times? With additional drone footage of his favorite nature walk? After the scathing reviews by the readers of the New York Times who Commented that his sympathy story was rejected? Please somebody take the Internet away from this man and his wife.”
The Internet in Beacon responded via Comments at ALBB’s Instagram: @restless_gif: "What does the golf course have to do with anything?" is very Epstein Class.
@amberinthesky187: "The New York Times is actually disgusting"
@beatrice.vandijk: "They should have corrected "community blogger" to "local independent journalist"
@decaffeinatedpapi: "Far, far too soft of a piece. My god. The man hung out with monsters. He should be stripped of everything he has “earned”."
@laurenruyle: "Yet no mention of the sickening email thread where he called JE’s idea for an art show called “Statutory” featuring minors and showing how easy it would be for them to tempt adults a brilliant idea. Horrible"
bryanne_af: "This piece is insane. We saw what he wrote. He indulged Epstein’s pedophilic fantasies very specifically in the emails in an effort to get money. The ends do not always justify the means. We don’t want someone with that type of poor judgement and weak morality in any position of leadership or authority."
The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.
